Mint Oil

[alclubb]

Does anyone know where I can get mint oil? I found an ant and roach aerosol spray at Lowes that is poison free. It is called Victor Poison Free Ant and Roach spray. It uses only mint oil and it really works.

Also, does anyone know if this product is OK to use in an organic program?

[Dchall_San_Antonio]

Mint oil. Is that all it says? There are lots, and Lots, and LOTS of different mints. Some don't even smell that much. Catnip is a mint. Double Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint are three gums with different mint flavors. I think we'd have to know specifically what mint it was.

Oil of wintergreen is a popular mint (double mint I think). You can get it in a liquid form at drug stores. The active ingredient is methyl salicilate (sp?). It is probably identical to the naturally grown mint oil but is probably not considered organic due to the way it is manufactured (I could be wrong). The oil of wintergreen is somewhat hazardous due to the concentration. I can tell you that if you dilute it and use it in the garden, you will have happy neighbors for awhile. Besides smelling nice, oil of wintergreen vapors act like aspirin in relieving aches and pains. It also stimulates defense mechanisms in plants and enables them to resist some diseases better than without the oil.

[Kathe Kitchens]

YOu can find mint plants and mint oils of various types at the Herb Market in Carrollton, off I35 at Belt Line (I think). It's on Fourth Street just off the old square over there, in what was the weigh station for the old railroad! Besides getting the oils, it's a cool place to just walk around and enjoy the smells! They also have soap and candle making supplies...well worth the trip! Yes, the Victor Poison Free is acceptable in an organic program. The makers developed it specifically for consumers who do not want to use non-organic products. I like the smell too, and it worked great for me.